Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko continues to be linked with being ousted from the Milton Keynes-based team, something he’s previously insisted is off the cards.
Ever since Red Bull co-founder and close friend of Marko, Dietrich Mateschitz, passed away during the weekend of the 2022 United States Grand Prix, Marko’s future has been uncertain.
In the latter stages of the recently completed 2023 season, it was reported that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was trying to oust the 80-year-old, amid a power struggle.
Marko has stressed that only he will decide when it’s time to leave Red Bull, rather than Horner’s.
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Horner supposedly wants more power over Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri, who are about to embark on a huge rebranding which’ll see their relationship with the energy drink company tighten.
Marko has mentioned several times recently that he has a contract until the end of 2024, yet talks are still taking place “this week” over his role.
“There will be discussions this week,” Marko told the Osterreich newspaper.
Marko openly admits that “decisions are still open” as to what the future holds for him at Red Bull or if he even has a future with the company.
It’s important to note that the advisor is an employee of the company itself, rather than the F1 team specifically.
“The decisions are still open, including what I will do next,” Marko stated. “My current contract runs until the end of 2024.”
When the initial reports of Horner trying to oust Marko were made, Max Verstappen was asked for his opinion on the matter, given his close relationship with the Austrian.
It was revealed that Verstappen would be furious if Marko was removed, to the point that he’d reportedly want to follow him out of the exit door.
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Marko admits the entire situation is “complex” but that he currently has an “obligation” to the team and the three-time World Champion.
Despite this, he admits that for him to remain in the paddock, the “overall package has to fit”.
“This is a complex topic,” Marko admitted. “Of course, I also have an obligation to Red Bull and Max. Nevertheless, the overall package has to fit.”